ZURAIDA Kamaruddin is banking on her track record as a three-term Ampang MP to beat her eight challengers in the coming general election. 

The Parti Bangsa Malaysia president-designate said she was confident that her work in the constituency would give her the edge she needed over the other candidates. 

“I know the battle ahead is tough. In fact, it will be my toughest yet. For one, I will be facing eight other challengers, including three independents. 

“Secondly, I am contesting under a new party, one that has only recently been established,” she said, referring to PBM, which she joined after leaving Bersatu.  

Although Ampang sees a nine-corner fight, the main battle is set to be between Zuraida and PKR/Pakatan Harapan candidate Rodziah Ismail. 

PKR is working extra hard to win this seat following Zuraida’s defection from the party to join Bersatu during the Sheraton move in February 2020. 

The other candidates for this seat are Barisan Nasional’s MCA candidate Ivone Low Yi Wen, Perikatan Nasional’s Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Bersatu), Parti Warisan’s Bryan Lai Wai Chong, and Pejuang’s Dr Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi as the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) candidate. 

The three independents are entrepreneur M. Raveendran, 38, Muhammad Shafiq Izwan Mohd Yunos, 33, and Tan Hua Meng, 65, who previously contested under Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) in GE14. 

Zuraida also said that based on her years of political experience, she has seen how the electorate evolved into being more mature and well-informed today. 

“Though I have been in Ampang and am well-versed with all the issues here, I do not take anything for granted. 

“I make sure I take time to survey and identify as many issues as possible which affect the people here. 

“There are still local issues like public transport, infrastructure, flooding and welfare.” 

Zuraida said she learnt a lot from her voters over the years and formed a special bond with them. 

“We are like a family here and that is why I am confident and do not feel that contesting under the PBM logo would have any negative impact,” she said. 

She also said she was happy that she was facing five women and young candidates in GE15. 

“Though they may be my challengers, I am happy that more women have come forward this GE. 

“I just hope and pray that everyone, not just here in Ampang, competes in a friendly, clean manner. 

“Though I may be from the older generation here, I believe my track record will speak for itself,” she said. – November 7, 2022.